The Power of Prayer

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 9
 
“For after this manner in the old time the holy women also  ...  trusted in God.” 1 Peter 3:5
I encourage you to prayerfully study examples of the power of prayer in women’s lives throughout the scriptures. Here are a few examples to start you off.
1. See Anna in Luke 2:36-3836And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. (Luke 2:36‑38) serving God with fasting and prayers night and day, waiting for redemption and the birth of Christ. Then consider our position and privilege today in Titus 2:11-1411For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:11‑14) along with that.
2. See Lydia in Acts 16:13-15,4013And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. 14And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. 15And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us. (Acts 16:13‑15)
40And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed. (Acts 16:40) — her desire to be where prayer was being made, to worship, and to listen attentively to God’s Word, and her continual hospitality. Notice the blessing that it brought to her whole household.
3. See also Hannah in 1 Samuel 1 — provoked, fretting, bitter, weeping, in grief (vss. 6-8); continuing in prayer (v. 12); seeking grace and “no more sad” (v. 18); worshipping the Lord before her prayer was visibly answered (v. 19); seeing her prayer answered (v. 20); and giving her son back to the Lord (vss. 24-28). Then we see her rejoicing in the Lord (1 Sam. 2:11And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. (1 Samuel 2:1)) and read her prayer of thankfulness (2:1-10).